How to: Create the Ultimate Household Management Book

Organizing your household can be a daunting task, whether you’re a large family with children or you’re just starting out on your own. Every family is different, which means there is no one way to create your household management book, and even after you create it, it will change as you change.

The best thing about a household management book is it can be something as simple as a three ringed binder with lined paper in it. Or, it can be as elaborate as you like. Though I do think simple is best I also think you should take every opportunity to make something your own!

I really do love organizing, from my freezer to my craft room I live for organization and to do lists! I may have a slight problem when it comes to creating binders and organizing my home, but I don’t really mind!

So, why create a household management book?

It’s not just about creating cute designs and using your scrapbooking skills to create something that looks neat. Household management binders are a great place to store your recipes, emergency contact and other information.

And, it’s not just for you either. Your children can have their cleaning lists, this is a great way to let them participate. Kids love to check things off, or maybe even put a star sticker next to a job done. Of course, adults like to check things off a list too!

You can store information someone else may need to know, like your babysitter. Have the emergency contacts, bed time routine, accepted snack list etc all under the babysitting section for him or her to access.

It can also help to bring your household together. No more, ‘I didn’t know what needed to be cleaned’ from the kids (or husband), everyone can be responsible for helping with the different sections. Do you have a little one who likes to cook? Perhaps they can help with your meal plans. Or maybe they prefer gardening? Then they can help with the planting and harvesting schedule.

The household binder isn’t just about organizing, it’s a great tool that can help all members of the family.

Tip:: Instead of printing and reprinting sheets – print sheets you use daily once, then put them in a page protector. Then you can reuse by using a white board marker to check off the daily to do’s and wipe the protector off every night.

What to put in your household management binder?

Well like I said before, it’s completely up to you! You can always add and subtract as you see fit. Do you attend church or volunteer? You can add those categories, if you don’t attend church you can remove it.

For those who don’t know where to start I have started a list below, do you have something you think should be added? Let me know in the comments below!

Homestead Information

Emergency Contacts

Contacts

Banking Information*

Password Information*

Goal Setting

Goal Break Down – make large goals into smaller steps

Blogging

Post Schedule

Post Ideas

Finance

Saving Plans

Weekly/Monthly/Yearly Budget

Cleaning

Cleaning Schedule

Children Chore Schedule

Laundry Schedule

Large Cleaning Projects – ex. Spring Cleaning

Children/Homeschool

Children’s Activities

Homework/Project Information

School Holidays

School Trips

Yard Work

Gardening Schedule

Harvesting Yields

The sky is the limit when it comes to your binder!

* You may want to add these items to a binder that has limited access to other people.

Tip:: Use binder dividers to separate your different sections. These can easily be removed or added to in order to keep everything in it’s place!

What do you need to create your Household Management Book?

Really all you need is a binder and paper. Why a binder? It just works better than a notebook, and makes it easier to remove/add as you go.

I have a few more suggestions for you to use in your binder, feel free to use them, or not!

A binder – first and foremost!

Pens, Markers, etc – different colours you can use to colour code if you’re so inclined.

Dividers – for each section.

Page protectors – use these for pages you reference regularly and don’t want to ruin.

Three hole punch.

Pen/pencil pouch – you can get the kind that fits in your binder.

Printer/Paper

Some optional things you can add.

Post-It’s – I’m a chronic post-iter

Stickers – if you have a section for your children (chore lists, homework etc.) you may want to let them check things off with a sticker – a great game could come of it too. A week full of stickers gets a little prize etc.

Binder pockets – these are great for adding things like bills to your finance section, or personal cheques.

Collectible Card sleeves – a place for those business cards you collect.

Now the only thing you need is a cup of tea (or coffee) some nice music and a bit of time to bring it all together.

To help you out with your binder I have created a couple printables for you, and be sure to check back for more in the upcoming weeks!